Psychology 202
Take Home Exam #1
Dr. Rosalyn M. King, Professor
[Note: Download the exam in a Word document at the end of this page.]
Please answer these questions thoughtfully and carefully. Provide at least a typewritten page on each response.
1. Based on your understanding of the cognitive areas of learning, memory, thinking and language.
Define each in your own understanding. Develop a concept model depicting how these cognitive
components are interrelated. Describe also in a paragraph their interrelationship.
(20 Points)
2. Learning principles can be serious business. Companies use them to determine effective pay schedules,
parents use them to direct the behavior of children, and police officers use them to get you to obey the
speed limit. Learning about learning principles can also be found in the most unexpected places.
Common nursery rhymes can illustrate basic learning concepts. Write or rewrite a nursery rhyme so
that it illustrates one of more of these principles. If no traditional nursery rhyme appeals to you, then write
your own. (20 Points)
Here are some revised examples:
Mary Had a Little Lamb
Mary had a little lamb;
She wanted to teach it tricks.
Stay, come, and go
Were easy, you know,
When she gave it a peppermint stick.
There Was an Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe
There was an old woman who lived in a shoe.
She had so many children she didn't know what to do.
Should she punish the bad or reinforce the good?
Reinforcement works best, if only she would.
Here are some original examples:
Bountiful Bribery
Dr. Jones was a tough nut to crack.
His students felt put on the rack.
They finally agreed
That all would succeed
If they gave his office key back!
Negative Reinforcement Rag
Tom was a bit of a heel.
His friends all knew he would squeal.
When the police got tough
And threatened rough stuff,
He spilled all he knew to appeal.
With your example, please indicate the learning principle or concept you are illustrating. After
completing this exercise, you will be able to recognize how widespread examples of learning
principles can be.
3. Visit the link cited here featuring an article written by neuroscientist Dr. Oliver Sacks, bringing the public up to
date on the case of Clive Wearing.
What is it like for Clive Wearing to live without memory? Distinguish between semantic, episodic, procedural,
implicit and explicit memory.
Which types of memory does Clive possess after his illness; and which were he no longer able to experience?
What is amnesia? What kind of amnesia is evident in Clive Wearing? What are the abilities of amnesiac
patients? What are the abilities retained by Clive Wearing? (20 Points)
Here is the link:
4. Does thinking control language or language control thinking? Explain your point of view. (10 Points)
5. Visit some of the related learning links on robotics and artificial intelligence. What is the role of robotics and artificial intelligence in the field of cognitive science? How are they being used?
(10 Points)
6. There are opposing viewpoints on whether primates/apes and other animals can truly learn human langu
great lengths to gather support for their position. Other psychologists dispute the idea that animals are
capable of learning language.
Review the discussion in the textbook. Also, go to the lessons section of Psychology 201-202 on the
course website and read the lesson on Animal Cognition. Visit some of the related learning links on the
pioneers in the field and their work.
a) Provide 2 sources of evidence supporting the viewpoint that animals have the capacity for language and
cognition.
b) Provide 2 sources of evidence that challenge this viewpoint.
c) Identify the side you find more convincing. Do you believe that animals have the capacity for learning,
language and cognition? Explain your answer. (20 Points)
Optional Question: (Answer for Extra Points!)
Physiological and Brain Linkages to Learning
What does the research say about what the physiological and brain effects of learning on the body?
Search for and visit related links on the subject. When you post your response, please cite the links you visited.
For starters, here are a few links that you can visit to stimulate your thinking. You can search for additional ones.
Related Learning Links:
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Take Home Exam # 2
